Western Conference Notes: L.A.’s MF tested, Sinovic on trial with RSL & more

With David Beckham and Juninho suspended, it is likely that head coach Bruce Arena will need to inject some fresh blood in the central midfield when the Galaxy face the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park on Sunday. It is likely that Chris Birchall will return to the center of park playing the defensive midfield role for the Galaxy, while either Michael Stephens or Paolo Cardozo could play in an advanced linking role in the midfield.

Los Angeles is hoping to have Landon Donovan back in the lineup after the Galaxy captain missed the matches against D.C. United and Toronto FC with knee inflammation. Donovan announced on his Twitter account that he is "hopeful" that he will be able to play a role this weekend against the Fire.

Here is a look at more news from around the Western Conference:

CHIVAS USA

Ze Roberto rumors have resurfaced with the Hamburg midfielder being linked to Chivas USA after being linked extensively to the New York Red Bulls for the past two seasons. In practice on Thursday, head coach Robin Fraser admitted that on some stage, negotiations had taken place.

Chivas USA trialist Jason Banton has returned to Liverpool after his week long trial, in which he scored a goal for the Rojiblancos in a reserve match on Sunday. The club is still in negotiations with the 18-year-old to bring him to the team.

COLORADO RAPIDS

The Rapids fell in their first Rocky Mountain clash of the season, but head coach Gary Smith was pleased with the effort that the team showed in the 1-0 loss; however, he saved his judgement for the fatful Fabian Espindola goal, which he believed was offside.

FC DALLAS

FC Dallas has been searching for a replacement for Dax McCarty and it appears that he may just have found one in Andrew Jacobsen. Hyndman admits that Jacobsen may very well be the connector in midfield that the club has lacked since losing McCarty to the expansion draft.

PORTLAND TIMBERS

Preparations are coming to a close as the Portland Timbers will play their first match against the Chicago Fire on Thursday night (11 p.m., ESPN2) at the newly renovated JELD-WEN Field. The club has undergone a number of preparations to get ready for this date including: protecting a feral cat colony that lives within the stadium to setting up an extensive pyrotechnical display.

Tune in a little early to the broadcast to see the Timbers Army sing the Star Spangled Banner before kick off of the inaugural match.

REAL SALT LAKE

These are heady times in Salt Lake right now after the club qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League final and defeated their archrival all in the span of 10 days. Despite all the victories, that doesn't mean that the team is without holes in the line up. One potential depth question is at left back behind starter Chris Wingert.

At the start of the preseason, the Earthquakes knew that they needed to find a second legitimate scoring option to Chris Wondolowski. It appears that Tottenham Hotspur product Simon Dawkins just may be that option. Dawkins has scored two goals in 2011, which is level with Wondolowski's total for this year.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

One of the most contentious issues surrounding the Sounders has been the turf playing surface at Qwest Field. The turf has been a source of great criticism for the last two and a half years, and this has led the Sounders to evaluate whether a grass field will be a viable option for the stadium.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS

The Whitecaps might not have gotten the result they hoped for in Sunday's loss to the Houston Dynamo, but three of the team's younger players made their MLS debuts in the match. Omar Salgado, Jeb Brovsky and Mouloud Akloul stepped onto the pitch for the first time in league play, with Brovsky starting and going the full 90 minutes and Salgado and Akloul each coming on as second-half substitutes.

Well, they don’t have a rat problem. An article mentioned that of 80 or so rat traps set out at the stadium, none of them ever have rats caught in them. Apparently the cats are earning their keep. At least they aren’t free-loading.

Here’s to the Galaxy catching onto the formula of how to win the Cup. Finish mid table, breeze into the playoffs (after all, we’ll have more teams in the playoffs than out of them this year), squeak through the first couple of rounds, and win 1-0 in the final.

The regular season is going to be exhilarating as a supporter, can’t wait.